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Square and sportcin, but good to drive!

30th August 1980, Page 15
30th August 1980
Page 15
Page 15, 30th August 1980 — Square and sportcin, but good to drive!
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PRODUCTION of the Dennis Delta 1600-Series (CM, June 28) has now begun at the Guildford factory, reports STEVE GRAY.

Initially output of the 16tonner will be one vehicle a week, slotted in among the company's range of municipal and firefighting chassis, but it is hoped this will be increased to a maximum of six per week later.

The Delta 1600-Series, which is available in five wheelbase lengths and with a choice of power units, in fact shares the same cab as the company's other products_ In a brave move, Dennis decided to build its own steel cab rather than buy-in and to make it a tilt version.

The cab, Dennis decided, should be of straightforward construction.

Many of the component parts would be bought-in and where possible duplicated throughout the design. And it says much for the design team that the total cost of development was a mere £0.75m — a long way short of the multimillions spent on Leyland's T45, for example.

But the Delta cab is rather square-looking as a result and it certainly owes nothing to aerodynamic styling.

Nevertheless, Dennis has made a very workmanlike job of it and the specification includes finished paintwork and injection anti-rust protection.

The cab tilts to a maximum of 60 — it has metalastic bushed hinges at the front and suspension at the rear — to give access to all engine components and ancillaries.

For everyday checks, though, it's unnecessary to tilt. Coolant level is inspected by a rear-ofcab header tank and a simple lift-up grille — made from grp, as are the lower cab panels and wings — allows the clutch fluid level and oil to be checked with ease.

Inside, the cab doesn't really come up to the sort of trim level one might expect from a premium vehicle at a fairly high price.

There is no suspension seat and the instrumentation, although in itself adequate, does not include a tachometer.

In spite of this the cab is comfortable and probably has one of the best driving positions and certainly the best visibility of any 16-tonner on the market.

Entry is simplified by two excellent steps, well placed and easy to find. I didn't like the absence of a left-hand grab handle for entry or the webbing door-check straps which are not able to stop the door banging shut in a high wind.

Cross-cab access is pretty reasonable for a sixteen tonner, although perhaps not as good as, say, a Leyland Clydesdale.

There are three engine options on the Delta at the moment, although Dennis hopes to offer a fourth.

The line-up now is all Perkins — the 6.354.4, T6.354.4, and V8.540. Both the higher rated engines have a six-speed

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